Graphene nanoribbons under axial compressive and point tensile stresses

The geometric, electronic and magnetic properties of strained graphene nanoribbons were investigated using spin polarized calculations within the framework of density functional theory. Cases of compressive stress along the longer axis of a nanoribbon and tensile stress at the midpoint and perpendicular to the plane of the nanoribbon were considered. Significant structural changes were observed including the formation of nanoripples. The calculated electronic and magnetic properties strongly depend on the size and shape of nanoribbons. The tunable magnetic properties of strained nanoribbons can be employed for designing magnetic nano-switches.